[sequoia]

Actually he specifically advises against being cynical & selfish. A passage:

[after complimenting a postal worker on his hair thus making the postal worker happy]:

"I told this story once in public and a man asked me afterwards: 'What did you want to get out of him?'

What was I trying to get out of him!!! What was I trying to get out of him!!!

If we are so contemptibly selfish that we can't radiate a little happiness and pass on a bit of honest appreciation without trying to get something out of the other person in return - if our souls are no bigger than sour crab apples, we shall meet with the failure we so richly deserve. Oh yes, I did want something out of that chap. I wanted something priceless. And I got it. I got the feeling that I had done something for him without his being able to do anything whatever in return for me. That is a feeling that flows and sings in your memory lung after the incident is past."

He recommends truly being nice, not just pretending to be nice. It's not really a "trick", he suggests you substantively change your behavior.